Turkish citizens, police clash over May Day rally in Istanbul
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Sputnik reports violent clashes erupted at noon as police officers prevented demonstrators from reaching the Taksim Square in Istanbul.
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Turkish police detaining protesters as they attempt to march to Istanbul's Taksim Square during a May Day rally on May 1, 2024 (AFP)
Clashes broke out between Turkish protestors and security forces in the capital Istanbul during the May Day rally, which saw police using tear gas to scatter the demonstrators, Sputnik reported on Wednesday.
This comes after Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya threatened protestors on Tuesday, declaring that all rallies in Taksim Square are banned.
Read more: Gaza 'Freedom Flotilla' blocked in Turkey
After a large gathering of demonstrators, including members of political parties and trade unions, took place about 5 kilometers from Taksim Square, the police blocked access to the square, including through the Aqueduct of Valens.
According to the news agency, violent clashes erupted at noon as police officers prevented demonstrators from reaching the Square.
The demonstrations ended shortly after as the crowds were unable to reach Taksim Square.
Representatives of the Confederation of Revolutionary Trade Unions of Turkey and the Confederation of Public Employees' Trade Unions announced the cancellation of the rally at 12:30 pm, Sputnik said.
Read more: 'Israel', West's support, reasons for regional instability: Turkey FM
May Day in Turkey: Workers clash with police after the Turkish government banned May Day protests in central Taksim Square in Istanbul. pic.twitter.com/qd9i9TyBvi
— kakasloi 🔻☠(@kakasloi) May 1, 2024
Marches are held yearly on May 1 in Turkey, as part of International Labor Day celebrations.
Turkish citizens use the occasion to protest against the country's problems and policies, especially the economic situation over the past few years.
Last month, a member of Turkey's Felicity Party and candidate for the mayoral election in Greater Istanbul, Birol Aydin, told Al Mayadeen that the party's foreign policy vision is "wide" and that it "seeks good relations with all European countries" while maintaining the nation's freedom.
Turkey had established relations with all nations, however, poor foreign policy with neighboring countries has worsened its global standing, Aydin said in criticism of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He explained that the current government is responsible for the domestic downturn, adding that the refugee crisis in Turkey is but one of many other problems the country faces.
Aydin stressed that the international community's silence, as well as Ankara's, on the Israeli genocidal war on the Gaza Strip, has had a significant domestic impact.
